Breast cancer treatment and preexisting coverage

My 2024 was pretty brutal but December took the cake. I was let go from my healthcare administration job on December 2nd with no severance or continuation of benefits – expiring December 14th (trust me the irony is not lost on me here).

I’m 44 years old and was due for a mammogram so got one scheduled under my UMR (expiring) coverage. They found a spot. I mentioned 2024 has been awful? Part of that has been because I’m divorcing my unwilling husband and we’ve been in battle for 14 months. After I got let go, he immediately put me on his company’s group health plan. I went through a second mammogram, and a biopsy of the right breast which came back malignant.

I’ll be likely undergoing a lumpectomy followed by radiation and or chemo. The diagnosis officially occurred under HIS plan (United Healthcare).

If I secure another job (big if, as I’m not sure how sick I’ll be from treatment), can I sign up for my employer benefits and “transfer care” to my new employers’ benefits plan? Or am I literally stuck unable to continue the divorce from husband until I’m cancer free (which may be 5 years)? I’m terrified of switching plans mid cancer treatment and possibly getting care denied.

Edit to add: 44 yo F from Wisconsin, income was approx $170,000 but is currently $0.

submitted by /u/throwawayfemimist
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